Well, this thread caught my eye. It reflects many of my own thoughts about this website.

As a reader:

If a story is well written, with good character development, a decent plot, and the writer has shown some knowledge of grammar and punctuation, I’ll start to read it. If it is the same old tie me up tie me down that is so common in the genre, I stop. If it is fantasy or sci-fi, then I’ll read it, but it better be damned good to keep my interest (I cut my teeth on Harlan Ellison et al).

I rarely read stories for mastubatory excitement, and when I do, I tend to go for something like “The Paris Craftsman” or excerpts from novels, which tickle my mind more than they tickle my crotch. A good mind fuck is a good mind fuck, it’s just that I can stick a video in the machine and relax and not have to worry about scrolling down …
Okay, so maybe I’m a snob. But if you read on, you’ll see where I’m coming from ..


As a writer

I first came here because I wanted to see if anyone was posting my work without permission – they were not. I read some stories, found some good and some bad, I checked out some of the reviews, and thought that might be what I am looking for – a way to test ideas and styles, and see if they work for the reader. And so, I submitted one or two to check out reader response.

For that is my primary interest: I want to know if my writing captures the reader’s mind, if he/she believes in my characters, and at the end, feels satisfied.
By the way, I want, need, crave, the reader’s feedback. How else can I improve my work?

My intent when crafting a story is to titillate and excite, to arouse interest and desire, so the reader will say “more! <pant pant> I want More!”
I have been told my stories are too soft, and that a harder edge will give them more readership – I take that as a fair comment. And in some as yet unpublished pieces, I have done so. Nevertheless,

I do not write for one-handed readers. Sorry, but that’s the truth.

For me and my partner, BDSM is foreplay, not the climax.

Two recent stories I have enjoyed: “An Apology” by kittenfemme, and “A New Life” by woodsman’s game. Both stress emotions rather than sensations … but then, what are sensations if they do not trigger emotions?
I have tried to read “The Jade Pavilion” but it just has not captured my imagination. Sorry Boccaccio.

And that’s as close to a review as I will post on this site, because I’m here to learn how to improve my craft, not to criticize others.